USA > Illinois > Will County > Past and present of Will County, Illinois, V. 2 > Part 15
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E. White, a resident of Florence township. Mr. Bell passed away February 10, 1901, at the vener- able age of eighty-nine years, while his wife sur- vived for only a brief period, her death occurring April 20, 1902, when she was seventy-three years of age. They were prominent pioneer people of Will county and had aided in securing for it the conveniences and comforts which are enjoyed by its present citizens.
John Bell, the only son of the father's second marriage, was reared to farm life, receiving prac- tical instruction from his father in the care and cultivation of the crops. During the winter months he pursued his studies in the common schools and thus acquired the knowledge which now enables him to successfully conduct his busi- ness interests. He remained at home until he at- tained his majority, giving his father the benefit of his services until that time. He then started out in life for himself by engaging in the occupa- tion to which he had been reared. He is now op- erating a fine farm of two hundred and fifty- three acres in Florence township, and in addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, likewise raises stock. He formerly fed and shipped some cattle but now makes a spe- cialty of Poland China hogs, raising from forty to eighty head annually. In 1904 he erected a modern country residence, this constituting one of the fine homes of this part of the state.
Mr. Bell was married in Wilmington, October 5, 1898, to Miss Mary A. Shipley, who was born in Glenville, New York, September 4, 1868, a daughter of James S. and Catharine F. (Schuy- ler) Shipley, the former born in the Empire state, January 1, 1826, and the latter in Minerville, New York, August 28, 1846. They were married near the latter city, February 28, 1866, and the father followed farming in the east until 1880, when he took up his abode in Will county, pur- chasing a farm of one hundred and sixty-two acres in Florence township. Later he purchased a second farm, comprising one hundred and eigh- ty-four acres, but in 1895 disposed of both tracts and removed to Wilmington, where he owns a nice home, in which he is now living retired. He has, however, since purchased a farm of sixty-four acres south of the village, which is operated by his son, William S. He likewise owns a fruit farm near South Haven, Michigan, and from his
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property derives a good rental, which supplies him- self and family with all the comforts of life. His family numbers two daughters and one son: Sa- rah ; Mary A., now Mrs. Bell; and William S., who wedded Susie Millard and is now operating his father's farm. Mr. Shipley gives his politi- cal support to the republican party.
Mr. Bell has served as school director for the past six years, and, like his father, gives his po- litical allegiance to the republican party. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church and is identified with the Modern Woodmen of Ameri- ca, belonging to River camp, No. 124. Both he and his wife are prominent in the community where they reside, and their own beautiful home is a favorite resort for their many friends.
AMBROSE J. REARDON.
Ambrose J. Reardon, one of the leading citizens and representative farmers of Troy township, has spent his entire life in Will county, being born on the farm where he now resides, on the 2d of April, 1863. His father, Patrick Reardon, was a native of Ireland, born near Queenstown, County Cork, March 28, 1814, and was seven years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to New Brunswick, Canada, where he grew to man- hood. When a young man he went to Worcester, Massachusetts, and there followed farming until coming to Will county, Illinois, in 1842, being one of the early settlers of Troy township. When he located there there was only one house between his place and Joliet. As an agriculturist he met with excellent success and became the owner of a valu- able and well improved farm of four hundred and forty acres on section 23. Troy township, where he made his home until his death, which occurred on the 10th of October, 1893. In 1850 he wedded Miss Mary Murphy, also a native of Ireland, and to them were horn nine children, but five of the number died in infancy. Those still living are Thomas E., a resident of Denison, Texas; John and Francis B., both farmers of Troy township; and Ambrose J., of this review. The parents were both earnest and consistent members of the Catholic church.
Ambrose J. Reardon was reared in the usual manner of farmer boys and acquired his education mainly in the district school near his home, though for four months he was a student in the Russell Business College at Joliet. He never left the parental roof and continues to reside on the old home farm, where he now owns two hundred acres of rich and arable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings.
On the 28th of April, 1897, Mr. Reardon was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Frances Bough- an, daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Brenock) Boughan, also natives of the Emerald isle. Her father came to America in the '50s and for sever- al years resided in Vermont, where he was mar- ried. He then lived for a time in Auburn, New York, and in the '60s removed to Chicago, where he still makes his home. Four children bless this union, namely : Victor A., born January 29, 1898; Paul J., born November 8, 1899 ; Virginia A., born March 14, 1902; and Arthur, born August 12. 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Reardon are communicants of the Catholic church and are highly esteemed in the community where they reside. Mr. Rear- don takes quite an active interest in local affairs and has efficiently served as commissioner, super- visor and collector of his township.
T. J. HOLKE, M. D.
Although Dr. T. J. Holke is numbered among the more recent acquisitions to the medical pro- fession of Peotone, where he is engaged in the general practice of medicine, he has already won a large and growing patronage, for he is thoroughly conversant with the most modern methods known to the members of his profession, and the results which have followed his labors have gained for him the trust and confidence of the public at large.
Dr. Holke was born in Waterloo, Monroe coun- ty, Illinois, April 16. 1876, a son of F. W. Holke, a minister of the German Evangelical church. He was born in Missouri and is now located at Free- port. Illinois. The son received his literary edu- cation in the public schools of Washington, Mis- souri, where his father was engaged in pastoral work. Having decided upon a professional ca-
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reer for his life work he entered Washington Uni- versity, at St. Louis, Missouri, being graduated from the medical department in the class of 1899. Ile then located for the practice of his profession in Freeport, but in February, 1904, came to Peo- tone, where he has built up a large practice, which is constantly increasing in volume and import- ance. He has a well equipped office in the M. Collins Bank building and has every modern ap- pliance and accessory for successful practice.
In 1902 Dr. Holke was happily married to Miss Flora Hermsmeir, of Freeport. His fraternal re- lations are with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias of Peotone. Both he and his estimable wife are prominent in the social circles of this eity, where they have already gained a host of warm friends.
DANIEL HAYDEN.
The gentleman whose name introduces this review is one of the largest land owners of this great agricultural state, being the possessor of seven hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land in Florence township, this supplying him with an annual rental which has enabled him since 1904 to live in honorable retirement. He was in former years one of the most extensive farmers and stock dealers of Will county, but since 1904 has abandoned all active business pur- suits and now merely gives his attention to his invested interests, although he still retains his residence on the farm, which is the old Hayden homestead, his sister, Annie E., residing with him. Ilis paternal grandfather, who also bore the name of Daniel Hayden, was born in Ireland and was one of the active participants in the rebellion of 1798. He was married there to Miss Catherine Donahue, also a native of the Emner- ald isle, and her death occurred in Ireland dur- ing her carly womanhood. In 1845, when ad- vanced in years, the grandfather emigrated to this country and died a few months later at the home of his son John, the father of our subject.
John Hayden, likewise a native of Ireland, born in 1815, emigrated to the United States when a young man of twenty years, having been attracted to the new world by the favorable re-
ports which he had heard concerning the oppor- tunities here afforded to young men of ambition and determination. He made his way to Maine. purchasing land in Lincoln county, where he followed farming for several years. He was mar- ried in Ireland to Miss Hannah Kinsilla. She was born in Ireland, a daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Burns) Kinsilla. The former died in that country, after which the mother and two daughters came to America, the year of their arrival being 1850, and the mother made her home with a son until her death. The Kinsilla family at one time was a very wealthy one, its members owning valuable landed possessions, but on account of not affiliating with the established church of the seventeenth century their property was confiscated.
In 1851 John Hayden, with his family, came to Illinois. He settled in Joliet, where he bought teams, hired men and engaged in teaming to the quarries and railroads. After five years in that business he removed to Florence town- ship, where he purchased a farm of fifty-three acres on section 12, and there carried on general agricultural pursuits. He possessed the indus- try, thrift and economy so characteristic of the people of his race, so that as time passed and he prospered in his undertakings he added to his original holdings until he became the owner of thirteen hundred acres, constituting him one of the wealthiest citizens of Will county. He spent his remaining days on his farm, his death there occurring April 5, 1889, while his widow sur- vided for only about a year, passing away Febru- ary 28, 1890. There were nine children born of this marriage, namely: Mary, who is married and resides on a farm in the Pine Tree state; Daniel, of this review; Catherine; Bridget; Thomas ; John : Hannah; Burnett and Anna S. The father gave his political support to the dem- ocratie party, while his religious faith was indi- cated by his membership in the Catholic church.
Daniel Hayden was born in Kennebec county. Maine, August 13, 1839, and acquired his edu- eation in Whitefield, that state, and in the coun- try schools subsequent to the removal of the family to Will county. lle was a lad of cleven years when he accompanied his parents to this state, and here worked with his father on the farm, aiding in the development and cultivation
1
Jolin Hayden
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of new land. He later worked on the construc- tion of the Rock Island Railroad, and in No- vember, 1852, in company with Governor Matte- son, rode on the first train which ran over the road. In 1853 he also worked on the building of the Joliet & Alton Railroad, constructing that portion which is now known as the branch of the Michigan Central line. Resuming farming operations, he was thus engaged until the winter of 1863-4, when he secured employment on a commissary boat, which delivered supplies to the soldiers at Vicksburg. He again returned to Florence township, where he was engaged con- tinuously in farming and stock-raising pursuits until 1904, since which time he has lived retired. He formerly raised Percheron and Norman horses and fed from fifty to one hundred head of cat- tle and hogs each year. At the death of the father, the widow inherited a large estate, which, upon the death of the latter, was left to the children, so that Mr. Ilayden is now in pos- session of a valuable farm of seven hundred and twenty acres.
Following in the political footsteps of his father, Mr. Hayden has always supported the democratic party, and is a communicant of the Catholic church. He has never cared for public office and, aside from serving as school director for four or five years and filling the office of pathmaster for three years, has never held public office. He is a man of pleasing appearance, of genial disposition and cordial manner, so that he has won many warm personal friends dut- ing the long years of his residence in Will county, which covers more than a half century.
FREDERICK GATTER.
Frederick Gatter, whose home is in the out- skirts of Frankfort, was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, October 27, 1835. His father, Casper Gat- ter, was also a native of Wurtemberg, born in 1992, and passed away in 1844. He came to Amer- ica in 1841. In Europe he was a master mechanic and on crossing the Atlantic to the new world he secured a position in the mills at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. Two years later he started with
several other families to Wisconsin. They re- mained for a few days at Kiles Tavern in Chicago and were afterward persuaded to locate in Frank- fort township, Will county, where Mr. Gatter pur- chased sixty acres of land from the government at one and one-half dollars per acre. He was driv- ing a span of gray horses at the time and he was offered eight acres of land where Chicago now stands for the two horses. Refusing this offer he located two and a half miles northeast of Frankfort and for several years carried on gen- eral agricultural pursuits there, passing away, however, in 1844. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. He married Ro- sina Colp, who was born in Germany in 1802 and was a member of the German Lutheran church.
Frederick Gatter had one step-brother and three step-sisters but was the only child born of his father's second marriage. He was a little lad of six years when brought to the United States and his education was acquired in the schools of Penn- sylvania and of Chicago. After his father died he went to that city and was employed as a salesman in a hardware store for about a year and a half. He then returned to the farm in Frankfort town- ship, where he lived for a number of years. He is now the owner of one hundred and eight and seven-eighths acres in the home place and fifteen acres at the north edge of Frankfort, where he is now living. His farming interests return to him a good income, so that he is comfortably situated in life. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but his time and energies arc devoted mostly to his business affairs, which have been capably conducted and have thus brought him a goodly measure of success.
On the 21st of January, 1862, Mr. Gatter was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Maue, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 23, 1843. a daughter of Francis Maue, now deceased, who was a farmer of Frankfort township, living near Mokena. Mrs. Gatter holds membership in t'e German Reform church. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children. Charlotte. who was born May 11, 1863, died September 3, 1867. Albertena, who was born August 4, 1865. died December 6, 1871. One child, born Novem- ber 26. 1868, died in infancy. Freddie. horn July 13, 1873, married Philip Stellwagen and they lived upon Mr. Gatter's farm in Frankfort
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township. They have one child, Frederick, named in honor of the grandfather.
Mr. Gatter has led a life of industry and perse- verance, devoting the greater part of his time and attention to agricultural pursuits and as the years have gone by he has displayed that persistency of purpose which is a strong element in prosperity and which enables many a man to overcome dif- ficulties and obstacles.
JOHN SCHEIWE.
John Scheiwe, a farmer and breeder of short- horn cattle, residing on section 26, Crete township, which farm was his birth place, has spent his en- tire life in Will county. His natal day was June 17, 1860. His father, John Scheiwe, was born in Helsinghausen, in the province of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, February 7, 1822. In 1847 he and his brother emigrated to America, landing at Quebec, Canada. Thence they made their way to Chicago, where Mr. Scheiwe engaged in farm work and later was employed on a canal. He was a poor boy and had learned no trade, so that he worked at what- ever he could get to do that would yield him an honest living. In 1851, he came to Will county, and settled on a farm in Crete, there developing what is known as the old family homestead. He and his brother purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land which they afterward divided equal- ly. When it came into their possession it was raw prairie with no improvements upon it. John Scheiwe, Sr., first built a little shanty in which he lived until he was able to erect. a better house. Throughout his entire life he followed farming and hy hard work, good management and careful economy he became wealthy. Adding to his pos- sessions as time passed, he left an estate of nearly seven hundred acres, including what was given to his children. Not only did he prosper in his busi- ness, but in community atfairs he always took an active and helpful part. He was one of the or- ganizers of the Crete Mutual Insurance Company, and was one of the thirteen original members of the Lutheran church in which he held office for many years. In politics he was a stalwart repub- lican and served for a long period as road com- missioner. He aided in many movements for the material, political and moral progress of his com-
munity and became well known as a prominent, influential and honored citizen of Crete town- ship. After coming to America he was nnited in marriage to Miss Mary Wehmhoefer, who was al- so born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, January 18, 1818, and came to the United States on the same ship as her husband. He died on the old home- stead farm, July 24, 1891, and her death occurred at the same place on the 15th of February, 1899. In their family were four children who yet sur- vive; Henry, a resident farmer of Washington township; Sophia, the wife of John Meier, of Woodworth township, Iroquois county, Illinois; William H., a retired farmer living in Crete; and John, of this review.
The last named was reared upon the home farm and was educated in the parochial and public schools. He remained at home after completing his education and carried on the cultivation of his father's farm. He now owns two hundred and fourteen acres of land, which was part of his father's estate. Since coming into possession of this tract, he has made many improvements there- on and has one of the best farms in the town- ship. Upon the place are good buildings and the farm is a model in every respect. Aside from the work of raising the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, Mr. Scheiwe carries on stock- raising and for five years has made a specialty of raising and breeding thoroughbred shorthorn cat- tle. That he has fine stock is indicated by the fact that he has won many blue ribbons where his stock has been placed on exhibition at the county and state fairs. At the head of his herd he now has a fine bull, Grand Duke Indianola. Ile al- so raises pure bred Poland China swine.
On the 12th of April, 1885, Mr. Scheiwe was married to Miss Emma Ohlendorf, who was born in Crete township, Jannary 1, 1864, a daughter of William Ohlendorf, an early settler of the county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Scheiwe has been born a daughter, Marie, who is now a young lady of twen- ty-one years. The family are active and faithful members of the Lutheran church, in which Mr. Scheiwe has served as an elder. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the republican party, and has served for one term as justice of the peace, but has never been an aspirant for of- fice. In addition to his farm interests he also owns a residence property in the village of Crete.
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He is justly classed among the leading agricul- turists of this part of the state conducting busi- ness interests of importance and winning the reputation of being one of the leading cattle raisers and breeders of the county.
GEORGE A. REHKOPF.
George A. Rehkopf is one of the prominent, in- fluential and valued residents of Peotone, his po- sition in public regard being indicated by the fact that he has been president of the village, and to him may be attributed the excellent sidewalk sys- tem of the town. He is, moreover, active in con- mercial circles as proprietor of the Peotone Steam Laundry. He was born in Monee, April 30, 1867, and like many of the residents of this section of the county, is of German lineage.
His father, Henry Rehkopf, was born in Ger- many and came to the United States in the latter part of 1865. He began farming on a traet of land in Monee township, Will county, and through- out his entire life was connected with agricult- ural pursuits. For three years he remained in Mo- nee, after which he purchased a farm in Peotone township, living thereon until 1870, when he sold that property and came to Peotone, where he opened a hotel known as the New York House. This he conducted up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1881, when he was fifty-two years of age. He came to this country without a dollar, and owing to his life of industry, frugality and perseverance he was enabled at his death to leave his family in very comfortable circumstan- ces, and, moreover, left to them the priceless her- itage of an untarnished name. He was a member of the Lutheran church and his political allegiance was given to the republican party. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Amelia Ippenjer, was born in Germany in 1823 and died in 1896. She was first married in New York city to William Ahlborn, and they became the parents of three children, of whom two are now living: Henry, a resident of Will township; and Amelia, the wife of John Caine, of the same township.
George A. Rehkopf of this review is the only child born of his mother's second marriage. He pursued his education in the schools of Peotone, and after his father's death he assisted his mother
in the conduct of the hotel until 1894, when Mrs. Rehkopf retired from business and her son pur- chased a half interest in a general store in Peo- tone, thus entering commercial circles as a mem- ber of the firm of Croxen & Rehkopf. The part- nership was maintained for five years, on the ex- piration of which period Mr. Rehkopf sold out and established the Peotone Steam Laundry, which he is now conducting.
On the 27th of November, 1897, occurred the marriage of Mr. Rehkopf and Miss Ida Gross, who was born in Peotone, March 19, 1880, and is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Gross. The young couple are members of the Evangelical church and take an active and helpful interest in its work. Mr. Rehkopf is a Mason, and in his po- litical views is a stalwart democrat. He was a member of the village board from 1892 until 1896, and during the succeeding four years was its pres- ident. He may well feel a just pride in the fact that he was the father of the sidewalk ordinance while occupying the presidency of the village. Moreover, he instituted many other movements for its improvement and upbuilding and he has always been a stalwart champion of the interests of the town and has done much for their further- ance.
LOUIS S. MADISON.
A well improved farm of two hundred and twenty-seven acres, lying on section 4, Jackson township, Will county, is the home of Louis S. Madison, and that industry and perseverance are numhered among his most salient characteristics is indicated by the fact that this land has been ac- quired entirely through his own well directed ef- forts, for when he arrived in Illinois his cash cap- ital consisted of but two dollars and a half.
Mr. Madison was born in Denmark, January 4, 1847, and is the fourth member of a family of six children born unto John and Mary Madison, of whom five are still living, the others being: Mrs. John Hansen, Mrs. George Thomsen and Martin Madison, all of whom still reside in their native country ; and Mrs. Henry Johnson, a resident of Chicago. Louis S. Madison pursued his educa- tion in the common schools of Denmark and was a young man of twenty-two years when, in De-
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cember, 1869, he decided to try his fortune in the new world. Accordingly he set sail for America, although he had no plans as to his destination or his pursuits, nor had he friends or relatives in this country. While crossing the Atlantic he form- ed the acquaintance of a lady of his own national- ity. Her husband had previously come to this country and had located in Elwood, Illinois, and it was to this place that she was coming to join him. She induced Mr. Madison to come to El- wood, which he did, and when he arrived here he had but two dollars and a half in money, this necessitating immediate employment.
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